When a routine patrol turns into something not so routine, Trooper Charles Patton and his K-9 partner, Prinz, take it in stride. From a traffic stop, that ended with a drug discovery and subsequent arrest, to helping a fellow law enforcement officer take a murder suspect off the streets.

When Trooper Charles Patton stopped a subject for a minor traffic violation on the Florida Turnpike, he observed a large amount of cash in the side pocket of the driver’s door. Further investigation by Trooper Patton and his K-9 Prinz led to the discovery of nearly $2,000 in cash, and approximately two pounds of marijuana along with other drug paraphernalia found in the trunk of the vehicle. The subject was arrested and charged with felony and misdemeanor drug charges.

While on Patrol in the City of Medley, Trooper Patton was flagged down by a Medley Police officer who was in the process of arresting a male suspect. After helping to take the suspect into custody, Trooper Patton learned that the suspect had just allegedly murdered someone in the area. The Medley Police Officer on the scene asked for Trooper Patton’s help in locating the murder weapon. With the help of K-9 Prinz, a search was conducted within a one-block area. Soon, Trooper Patton found a folding knife covered with blood, which appeared to be the murder weapon. The weapon was turned over to the Medley Police Department. Preliminary information on the incident shows that the male suspect allegedly murdered the male victim because of an argument over $20. The victim, who was stabbed in the heart, died immediately.